NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 25 – Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has defended the extensive barricades and road closures imposed around Nairobi’s CBD during the June 25 protest anniversary, insisting the measures were based on intelligence reports warning of possible attempts to infiltrate demonstrations and trigger unrest.

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking on Thursday as Kenyans commemorated the first anniversary of the anti-Finance Bill protests that culminated in the storming of Parliament in 2024, Kanja maintained that the security operation was necessary to safeguard lives and property while allowing peaceful demonstrators to exercise their constitutional rights.

“What we are doing is what we refer to as intelligence-led policing,” Kanja said when questioned about the widespread roadblocks that disrupted transport and restricted access to the city centre from as early as 4 am.

“If there are indications that there are those planning to introduce trouble in Nairobi and elsewhere, we do not allow that to happen. We have a lot of information and intelligence on what is likely to happen, and every action you see the National Police Service taking is guided by available information.”

📌 What You Need to Know

The police chief’s remarks came amid criticism from sections of the public and human rights groups who argued that the heavy security deployment inconvenienced thousands of commuters and businesses despite government assurances that the demonstrations would be allowed to proceed peacefully.

By Thursday morning, Nairobi’s usually vibrant CBD had been transformed into a near-deserted zone.

Major roads leading into the city centre were barricaded, public service vehicles were stopped at various checkpoints, and many businesses opted to remain closed amid uncertainty surrounding the commemorative protests.

Despite the restrictions, Kanja described the security situation across the country as calm and under control.

“Our country is safe and secure from north to south and from east to west,” he said.

“We have seen people laying flowers at Parliament, and they were escorted by police peacefully. The reports I am receiving from commanders in the field indicate that everything is running well.”

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya